Nairobi, June 27 (V7N) — At least 16 people were killed across Kenya on Wednesday during widespread anti-government protests, most of them allegedly shot by police, according to Amnesty International Kenya.

Thousands took to the streets in a nationwide demonstration marking the anniversary of last year’s deadly tax protests, during which protesters stormed the parliament and at least 60 people were killed. This year’s protests, similarly triggered by tax policy grievances, quickly escalated into violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.

Eyewitnesses and civil society monitors reported a heavy-handed crackdown by police in multiple cities, including Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa. Live rounds, tear gas, and water cannons were deployed against mostly unarmed civilians, according to multiple human rights observers.

Irũngũ Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty Kenya, stated that their preliminary findings confirmed police responsibility in most of the killings. "The use of lethal force on peaceful or minimally disruptive protesters is unacceptable and a clear violation of international human rights norms," he said.

The protests, organized by a decentralized coalition of civil society groups, youth collectives, and online activists, were sparked by the government's move to introduce sweeping tax increases under a new finance bill. Critics argue the policies disproportionately burden the poor and middle class while offering little transparency on how the revenue will be used.

The Kenyan government has not yet released an official statement on the number of casualties, but President William Ruto is under increasing pressure both domestically and internationally to rein in police violence and open dialogue with the protesters.

As tensions remain high, human rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation into the deaths and for the immediate cessation of lethal force against demonstrators. Protest leaders have vowed to continue their movement until their demands for economic justice and government accountability are met.

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